Jay Martin in a red dress with patterned details, sitting indoors.

“I believe that stories can and do change hearts, minds and lives.”

Jay Martin’s writing engages with complex, contemporary themes in unique and distinctive landscapes. She is passionate about sharing the joy and power of writing with others.

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Book cover of 'Boom Town Snap' by Jay Martin featuring a woman with sunglasses reflecting birds and industrial structures.

‘Bold, unflinching and tender and, ultimately, incredibly hopeful.’

- Ashley Kalagian Blunt, Dark Mode

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  • 'Humorous and graceful … depicts a woman’s search for identity with a winning mixture of pain and aplomb.'

    Foreword Magazine

  • ‘This is a candid, brave and amusing book that should be handed to every spouse of every diplomat going to their first overseas posting.’

    Good Reading

  • ‘A great read. Rage has never been this compassionate, absorbing and thought-provoking. When do I get to party with these smart, talented, wonderful women?’

    Judith Lucy

  • 'This intelligent debut follows Georgie from the searing Aussie outback to the freezing Canadian North. ... Witty and wry, Boom Town Snap looks at the use of power from the top-level of governments and corporations right down to the dynamics in marriages and family. All along, we’re cheering for Georgie to realise her true value and find her way out of the mess. Boom Town Snap is a nuanced story about relationships, communities and our impact on the natural world. It will keep you thinking long after you’ve finished the last page.’

    Petronella McGovern, The Last Trace

  • ‘Boom Town Snap takes readers from the broiling heat of Karratha to the arctic tundra of the Canadian oil sands, challenging us to grapple with the realities of our short-sighted politics. At the heart of this highly original story is one woman’s heartbreak and humanity. Pacey and full of tension, Jay Martin’s debut novel is bold, unflinching and tender, and, ultimately, incredibly hopeful.’

    Ashley Kalagian Blunt, bestselling author of Dark Mode

  • ‘Boom Town Snap is smart, salacious and full of depth. Jay Martin deftly explores gender politics, sex, family, and the messy morality of the mining industry. Fast-paced and riveting from start to finish.’

    Amy Lovat, Mistakes and Other Lovers

Upcoming Events

Featured
Structuring a Memoir
July 7
Structuring a Memoir

NEW Memoir Writing Course - The Meeting Place Fremantle.

Have a life story you’d like to write but not sure how to put it together? This 6-week course will take you through key elements including character, plot and setting. Will be interesting to those writing their own or someone else’s story, or fiction (short and long). Each session includes examples, exercises, and time for working on your own projects. More information here.

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Featured
How do you know if you’re really Australian?
Travel
How do you know if you’re really Australian?
Travel
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Travel
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Canada, Travel
Things that surprised me about living somewhere it gets to minus 35
Canada, Travel
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Canada, Travel
Saturday night, in Halifax
Canada, Travel
Saturday night, in Halifax
Canada, Travel
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Canada, Travel

Follow Jay’s latest updates on Instagram

View fullsize “I was born in (xxxx) but my story doesn’t start there” . A line that has stayed with me from a weekend story telling event, where local Perth artist @nat.the.realist was joined by writers @khin.myint.author @chawsuwai104 @elizabet
View fullsize A 2-star review with some 5-star hope for this precious country 💗 . Bringing you my reviews of 2-star book reviews every Tuesday 🌟 🌟 #twostartuesday
View fullsize When you borrow a book by @holdensheppard from @fremantlelibrary … and find a welcome missive inside 😊
View fullsize
View fullsize Look. I mean, part of me wants to applaud A Anderson. They clearly have everyone’s best interests at heart - particularly the poor dead (if fictional) cat, and who can fail to be touched by that? So I understand that they just intended to corre
View fullsize I’m a sucker for a music bio, so I was always going to watch the Kylie doco series. I came for the music, but I stayed for the sense of injustice at how she’s been constantly forced to justify herself throughout her career. The constant
View fullsize Huge congrats @hollycraigauthor on the release of Find Me - which Holly proudly proclaimed her “favourite child”, despite the presence of both figurative and literal other children 😂 Sinister Tasmanian mountain setting, a lost brother, t
View fullsize I had this problem too! I left my copy of Little Woman on the table one night. In the morning I got up and it was on the floor - there was a new, big ole’ hole in the table! So glad I’m not the only one this has happened to 😅 . Bringing
View fullsize Always wanted to write a life story? Join me for this 6 week course that will take you through the elements of a memoir or life story, including characters, settings and plot. Each week includes some practical exercises, some examples, and time to wo
View fullsize My koordjit in full flower. This is the most beautiful plant, super easy to grow and the birds love it - including a tiny bee eater that I’ve never seen anywhere else in the garden. Just 3 years old and 3 metres tall. Happy djeran all. . @apac
View fullsize What’s this Family Man upset about? It’s OK kids, I did the research on this so you don’t have to. . Family Man first gets outraged at the use of the word “bullshit”, followed by a story about taking a dump in the woods
View fullsize I really liked this. The story moves back and forward between Korea and Japan, bisected by World War Two. The ramifications of decisions and actions ripple through generations in unexpected and compelling ways. I lived in Japan for a time in the 1990

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